The record-breaking May heatwave across the UK is beginning to ease, with the Met Office forecasting thundery showers and cooler air moving in. On Thursday, London is expected to reach 31C, a noticeable drop from the 35.1C recorded at Kew Gardens in west London on Tuesday. The Midlands and North West anticipate highs of 28C.
Tropical Night Unlikely
Forecasters have indicated that another 'tropical night', where temperatures remain above 20C, is unlikely. However, much of the UK will stay warm, particularly in the south, with 'some fresher and possibly showery conditions' anticipated from Friday into the weekend.
In a post on X, the Met Office stated: 'A warm start to Thursday with showers, possibly thundery, pushing northwards and clearing northern England. Temperatures soon rising with sunshine turning hazier in the west.'
Weekend Outlook
The outlook for Friday to Sunday suggests: 'Largely dry with sunny spells and very warm once again on Friday. A band of rain then gradually spreads eastwards over the weekend introducing some fresher and possibly showery conditions.'
Water Supply Issues in Kent
Thousands of people in Kent have been asked to use water for essential purposes only after high demand during the heatwave caused supply problems. Matthew Dean, South West Water's head of operations control, reported that around 18,000 customers were experiencing water supply issues, with some facing intermittent supply until reservoir levels are restored.
'In preparation for this we have informed customers that while they have a supply they should put aside some water for essential use,' he said. 'We are continuing to ask customers in supply to use water for essential purposes only – for drinking, washing and cooking. We have bottled water collection stations already set up and are monitoring.'
Tragedies in Open Water
The hot weather has drawn many to open water swimming, leading to a number of fatalities across South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Pembrokeshire, Lincolnshire, and Lancashire in recent days. Declan Sawyer, 15, died after getting into trouble at Swanholme Lakes, Lincoln, on Sunday. On the same day, a 72-year-old woman died after being pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
A 13-year-old boy, believed to be Reco Puttock, died after getting into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, on Monday, while the body of a teenage girl was recovered from Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire. Also on Monday, a man in his 60s died of cardiac arrest after entering the sea at Tregirls Beach, Padstow, to assist two family members in difficulty, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.
The body of a teenager was recovered from Rother Valley Country Park, Rotherham, early Tuesday morning, as confirmed by South Yorkshire Police. Another body was found in the search for a teenage boy who went missing after being last seen swimming at Hawley Lake on the Hampshire/Surrey border on Tuesday afternoon. A 12-year-old boy, Junior Slater from Clayton-le-Woods, died after getting into trouble in the River Ribble at Ribchester, Lancashire, on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Cheshire Police reported the body of a 17-year-old boy found after he went missing in Pickmere Lake at Marston, Northwich.
Heatstroke Advice Searches Surge
NHS England recorded 20,092 visits to its heatstroke advice page on bank holiday Monday, compared with 488 the previous Monday. Over the entire weekend, there were 36,724 visits, highlighting the public's concern about heat-related health issues.
